Can I bring the dog?
16th March 2022
The Lifeboat Inn, Thornham © Ant Jones Photography
They’re a member of the family, aren’t they, so it’s only right that they come out for lunch, too! Sarah Hardy – and Bella the border collie – select pooch friendly places to please
Beach Café, Wells-next-the-Sea
This is a firm favourite with dog owners whose hounds enjoy a really good run and even a swim via the glorious sandy beach. The café is trendy, with its own wood burner, and offers lots of tasty options like freshly made sarnies and wraps, homemade soups, cakes and bakes and sausage baps! Dogs can enjoy Bertie’s Bark Up Bar where water bowls are refilled, plus numerous doggie treats are on sale including locally made Pooch’s dog biscuits, doggie ice cream and even Pawsecco!
The Globe Inn, Wells-next-the-Sea
This handsome hotel, on The Buttlands, takes its doggy responsibilities very seriously! It has very pretty bedrooms in both the main building and the courtyard, and a selection are dog friendly.
The doggy menu, yes, really, includes that old favourite sausages, plus pigs’ ears, and a selection of chews, while we humans are well catered for, too, with a welcoming bar and bright and airy restaurant where the Cley seafood platter catches the eye alongside the signature Globe burger. We love the alfresco area at the front of the hotel – it’s a great place to people – and dog – watch!
Cliff Top Café, Overstrand
Open seven days a week, this is a friendly, popular place. Huge bi-folding glass doors open onto a fully enclosed courtyard garden which is lovely and sunny and has great views out to sea. Facilities for dogs include Alfie & Molly’s organic treats, and plenty of fresh water is always available.
The extensive menu includes great breakfasts, jacket potatoes and salads, plus fish and chips, of course – and the fish pie is always good if it’s on.
The Old Town Beach Cafe, Old Hunstanton
This is a justifiably popular place, right on the beach, and great for families who love a bit of sand between their toes. The cafe has both indoor and outdoor space and do look out for the doggie wall of fame where there are so many cute pictures. Vegetarian and vegan specials feature – how does sweet potato and chickpea tagine sound – while the cake selection is impressive along with the full English breakfasts. And the cafe’s dog biscuits are highly prized.
The Lifeboat Inn, Thornham
This 16th century atmospheric pub is a very welcome pit stop after a bracing walk on the Norfolk Coast Path. Once the haunt of smugglers, it is full of nooks and crannies and those essential roaring fires! So, both you and your hound will be very comfy. Many of the bedrooms are dog friendly too. Expect plenty of dog blankets, food bowls, a doggie welcome letter – and a Norfolk sausage for breakfast!
The Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham
Well, not only is this a super pretty pub with a great menu, packed with local goodies, but our four-legged friends have their own menu, too, which features delights such as cows’ ears and chicken feet! For all dogs staying – five of the 10 bedrooms are dog friendly plus the two nearby self-catering cottages – they receive a welcome letter from Doris, the pub’s black Labrador, and should post a picture of themselves on the pub’s Friends of Doris notice board. The pub is in the heart of great walking countryside, and staff even provide waymarked maps to follow.
